UW Oshkosh and Sodexo will provide fresh and organic produce to students with the third annual farmers market, bringing local vendors from all over the Fox Valley area Oct. 5 at Reeve Memorial Union.
The farmers market will be held outside Reeve from 12-5 p.m. if the weather permits and inside the Reeve concourse if weather gets bad. There is no fee to attend.
Kyle Milligan, Sodexo’s unit marketing coordinator, said the farmers market will bring awareness of the good local produce from the area.
“Most of the vendors are from the Oshkosh, Fox Valley area and a couple are from up north,” Milligan said. “Also, we will have some products from Sodexo themselves. They will have bakery [goods] there from their bakery on campus.”
Some of the vendors from the area include: Grandma Blake’s, Dandelion Farms, Patti’s Candies, Cassidy Paintings, Carol’s Caramel Kettle Corn and Cindy Lou Gardens.
Milligan said this year’s farmers market is the largest one on campus yet and is another way Sodexo supports healthy eating options on campus.
“I think that it is a great idea that UW Oshkosh is offering locally grown food on campus,” junior Taylor Richter said. “I love the salads they offer at Reeve, and the farmers market will just give me another way to eat healthier.”
According to Milligan, it will also bring the option of local produce to students living in the dorms who may have limited transportation to grocery stores.
“When you live in the dorms and on campus, it’s hard to get fresh fruit and produce and things like pumpkins [and] caramel corn all from a good source so we are bringing it to them,” said Milligan.
Although there are many farmers markets in the area, Richter believes the convenience of the farmers market at Reeve will finally get her to one.
“I haven’t been to many farmers markets in the past, but I always want to go,” Richter said. “They always have looked fun to me. Having a farmers market on campus will definitely get me to go.”
UWO student Angela Keenan likes more than just the fresh produce being sold at the farmers market.
“I love the other things than just the fruits and veggies,” Keenan said. “I like flowers and little trinkets that go along with the farmers market.”
Besides having food to purchase, there will also be crafts being sold and activities being held during the event, Milligan said.
“It is a cool atmosphere and it’s a cool thing to do during the day, especially if it is held outside,” Milligan said. “You can get outside and enjoy the day, learning about your local foods.””
